Furniture unit

ABSTRACT

A furniture unit (101) which can be unfolded from a flat pack configuration to a deployed configuration. Two rigid body panels (102, 103) are connected by hinges to three foldable spacer panels (104, 105, 106). In the deployed configuration, the three spacer panels hold the body panels apart to define a space between the body panels.

The present invention relates to a furniture unit.

Furniture units may be obtained pre-assembled, or alternatively in flatpack format. Flat pack furniture is generally assembled by an end user.The assembly process invariably requires the use of tools and fastenersto connect components of the furniture unit together. The assembly isoften time consuming. Furthermore, separately packaged fasteners such asscrews, nails and lugs are easy to lose, further delaying the assemblyprocess.

Flat pack furniture is also difficult to dis-assemble. Permanentfasteners such as screws and nails are difficult to remove. Even whenthey have been removed, the components of the furniture unit may bedamaged, making it difficult to re-assemble the components. This isparticularly inconvenient for those in rented and temporaryaccommodation, who may need to move location regularly, taking theirfurniture with them.

It is amongst the objects of the present invention to address theseproblems.

In a first aspect the invention provides a furniture unit according toclaim 1. The unit may be moved from a deployed configuration to a flatpack configuration (and vice versa) without detaching or assembling anyof the components. The spacer remains mounted on the first and secondbody panels in both the deployed and flat pack configurations. Thisenables fast deployment. It also enables fast conversion of the unit toa flat pack configuration, in which it is easy to transport. No toolsare required for deployment, or for conversion to the flat packconfiguration. No fasteners need to be provided to the user because inthe flat pack configuration, the unit is completely ready fordeployment.

The spacer need not be mounted at corresponding points on the first andsecond body panels. That is, the mounting locations of the spacer maydiffer between the first and second body panels.

In some embodiments the spacer comprises first and second portions whichhave generally equal lengths and which are pivotally connected to eachother, wherein the first portion is moveably mounted to the first bodypanel and the second portion is moveably mounted to the second bodypanel, such that in the flat pack configuration, the two portions of thespacer adopt a side by side orientation between the body panels. Theequal length of the spacer portions enables the body portions to remainparallel when they are brought together. It also enables the body panelsto lie directly on top of one another when in the flat packconfiguration, so that the two largest dimensions of the flat pack arethe same as the two largest dimensions of the body panels, when the bodypanels are the same sizes (or of the largest body panel if the bodypanels are of different sizes). The generally equal lengths of thespacer portions therefore provides a space efficient flat packconfiguration.

In some embodiments the two spacer portions are connected to each otherby a hinge, which is optionally a one way hinge. A hinge provides aconvenient folding axis to enable easy folding. It also provides adefined folding direction, in case a user is in any doubt as to how tomove from the deployed to the flat pack configuration. A one way hingeonly permits folding in one direction. This is useful as it may forcethe user to move the unit in a direction which obtains the mostspace-efficient flat pack configuration.

In some embodiments the spacer is pivotally mounted to one, or both, ofthe body panels. The pivotal mounting provides a smooth range ofmovement between the deployed and the flat pack configurations.

In some embodiments the unit further comprises a brace which isremovably engageable with a body panel or with the spacer to retain theunit in its deployed configuration. This ensures that the unit is rigidand is not liable to move from the deployed to the flat packconfiguration. The brace may be provided separately to a user, forinstallation by a user. It may be necessary to remove the brace in orderto move the unit from the deployed configuration to the flat packconfiguration.

In some embodiments the brace is a rigid panel. In some embodiments thebrace may comprise a batten. The body panels may be provided with atrack, with which edges of the brace may be slidably engaged. Thispermits easy engagement of the brace with the body panels. The track andthe respective edges of the brace may have corresponding interlockingdovetails.

In some embodiments the unit comprises more than one brace to enhancethe rigidity of the unit.

In some embodiments the unit comprises two or more spacers to enhancethe rigidity of the unit. In some embodiments when the unit is movedfrom its deployed configuration to its flat pack configuration, twospacers fold towards each other. This ensures a space-efficient andrigid flat pack configuration, in which the body panels are wellsupported over their length (i.e. there are fewer large gaps between thebody panels in the flat pack configuration).

In some embodiments when the unit is moved from its deployedconfiguration to its flat pack configuration, two spacers fold inorthogonal directions. This helps to prevent unwanted movement from thedeployed configuration to the flat pack configuration.

In some embodiments, in the deployed configuration, two spacers arepanels which are disposed orthogonal to one another. This helps toprevent unwanted movement from the deployed configuration to the flatpack configuration.

In some embodiments, in the deployed configuration, the spacer forms atop or bottom panel of the furniture unit. This reduces the amount ofmaterial required to produce the unit as separate top or bottom panelsare not required.

In some embodiments, in the deployed configuration, the spacer forms ashelf within the furniture unit.

In some embodiments the spacer is connected to the body panels byhinges, which are optionally one way hinges. The hinges provide a smoothrange of movement between the deployed and flat pack configurations. Ahinge also provides a convenient folding axis to enable easy folding. Italso provides a defined folding direction, in case a user is in anydoubt as to how to move from the deployed to the flat packconfiguration. A one way hinge only permits folding in one direction.This is useful as it may force the user to move the unit in a directionwhich obtains the most space-efficient flat pack configuration.

In some embodiments, in the flat pack configuration, the thickness ofthe unit is less than 100 mm.

In some embodiments the unit is provided with means for attaching a dooror cover.

In some embodiments the rigid body panels or the spacer is made fromwood. Other materials such as plastics and metals may also be used.

In some embodiments the first and second body panels have generally thesame dimensions. This provides a flat pack configuration which is spaceefficient and which is easy to handle.

In some embodiments, in the flat pack configuration, corresponding edgesof the first and second body panels are generally in registry with eachanother. That is, although the body panels may not be physicallytouching in the flat pack configuration, they may lie directly on top ofone another, such that their outlines are coterminous when viewed fromabove. This is shown for a preferred embodiment in FIG. 5 and theassociated description. This provides a flat pack configuration which isspace efficient.

In some embodiments the furniture unit is a wardrobe, a bedside unit, ora frame for a chest of drawers. In other embodiments the furniture unitis a kitchen unit.

In some embodiments the furniture unit is a drawer.

In a further aspect of the invention there is provided a kit accordingto claim 23.

In some embodiments the body panels of the furniture unit are providedwith supports upon which a drawer may be removably located.

In a further aspect the invention provides a furniture unit according toclaim 26.

Embodiments of the invention are now described with reference to thefigures of the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the front of a wardrobe according to theinvention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of a drawer according to the invention.

FIG. 3 is an exploded rear perspective view of a wardrobe according tothe invention, showing the insertion of brace panels.

FIG. 4 is an exploded front perspective view of a wardrobe according tothe invention, showing the insertion of brace panels. The wardrobe isprovided with a removable drawer according to the invention.

FIG. 5 shows a perspective schematic view of a wardrobe according to theinvention in its flat pack configuration.

FIG. 6 shows a perspective schematic view of the wardrobe shown in FIG.3 when provided with further brace members.

FIG. 7 shows an alternative view of part of the wardrobe shown in FIG.6.

FIG. 1 shows a wardrobe (101) in its deployed configuration. Thewardrobe comprises two rectangular body panels (102, 103) which areparallel and vertical when the wardrobe is in its deployed configurationand stood upon a floor. The body panels are made of wood. The bodypanels are connected by three spacers (104, 105, 106). The spacers areflat panels when in the deployed configuration and are connected byhinges (not shown) at each of their ends to each of the body panels. Thefirst spacer (106) extends from the upper edge (108) of a first bodypanel (103) to the upper edge (107) of the second body panel (102). Asecond spacer (105) is disposed between the body panels (103, 102) at aheight which is lower than the first spacer, but which is raised abovethe lower edges (109, 110) of the body panels. A third spacer (104)extends between a front edge (111) of the first body panel (103) and afront edge (112) of the body second panel (102). In the deployedconfiguration, the third spacer (104) is disposed parallel to the frontedges (111, 112) of the body panels (103, 102). It is thereforeorthogonal to the first (106) and second (105) spacers. A lower edge(113) of the third spacer is in line with the lower edges (110, 109) ofthe body panels.

Each of the spacers (106, 105, 104) are formed of two portions of equalsize. The two portions of each spacer are connected by a hinge (notshown) where they abut, such that the two portions may pivot relative toeach other along the fold lines (114, 115, 116). The hinges are one wayhinges. The hinge which connects the two portions of the first spacer isarranged such that when the body panels (102, 103) are bought towardseach other, the fold line (114) may only move in a downwards direction(as indicated by the arrow in the figure). The hinge connecting the twoportions of the second spacer (105) is arranged so that when the bodypanels (102, 103) are bought towards each other, the fold line (115) mayonly move in an upwards direction (as indicated by the arrow in thefigure). The hinge connecting the two portions of the third spacer (104)is arranged so that when the body panels (102, 103) are brought towardseach other, the fold line (116) may only move towards the rear of thepanels (102, 103) (as indicated by the arrow in the figure).

When the body panels (102, 103) are moved together the three spacersfold such that the body panel (102) lies directly alongside the bodypanel (103). This means that the two largest dimensions of the flat pack(the height and width) are the same as (and not greater than) the heightand width of the body panels. In the flat pack configuration, thespacers (106, 105, 104) are folded in half and sandwiched between thebody panels in a concertina manner. The fact that the two portions ofeach spacer are of generally equal length allows the spacers to foldsuch that the body panels remain parallel as they are bought together,and lie directly alongside one another in the flat pack configuration.

The wardrobe is provided with fittings (117) for attaching a door. Thefittings are vertically spaced at points near the front edges (111, 112)of the body panels, and on faces of the body panels which face eachother, when in the deployed configuration. Each body panel is providedwith two fittings. In a lower portion of the body panels, on faces ofthe panels which face each other, there are provided runners (118) forsupporting a removable drawer (not shown).

FIG. 2 shows an exploded view of a drawer (200) according to theinvention, in its deployed configuration. The drawer comprises a frontrectangular body panel (201) and a rear rectangular body panel (202).The two body panels are connected by spacers (203, 204). The front bodypanel has a slightly larger area than the second body panel. The spacers(203, 204) are rectangular panels formed from two portions. The twoportions are connected to the front and rear body panels at their outerends. Their inner ends are connected to each other by a hinge (notshown). The inner ends of each of the spacer portions are connected atthe first (206) second (205) fold lines. The hinges connecting the innerends of the spacers are one way hinges arranged such that when the bodypanels (201, 202) are brought together, the fold lines (206, 205) mayonly fold inwards (i.e. towards each other). The equal length of thespacer portions allows the front and rear body panels to remain parallelwhen they are brought together to move the drawer from its deployedconfiguration to its flat pack configuration. In the flat packconfiguration the two portions of each spacer lie parallel to oneanother and are sandwiched between the front and rear body panels.

In order to retain the drawer in the deployed configuration, arectangular brace panel (207) is located between the spacers and thefront and rear body panels. The brace panel may be removed by moving itthe direction shown by the arrow in the figure. By moving the bracepanel in the opposite direction, the brace panel may be push fittedbetween the spacers and the front and rear body panels. The brace panelmay be prevented from being pushed all the way through the aperturecreated by spacers and front and rear panels by way of a stop, orseveral stops (not shown). The brace panel ensures that the anglebetween the spacers and the front and rear panels is as close to 90° aspossible. The brace panel also forms a bottom working surface of thedrawer, upon which contents of the drawer rest. In order to move thedrawer from the deployed to the flat pack configuration, the brace panelmust be removed.

FIG. 3 is a rear exploded perspective view of the wardrobe shown inFIG. 1. The wardrobe is in its deployed configuration. The wardrobe isprovided with three brace panels (301, 302, 303). Near their rear edges(304, 305) the body panels (102, 103) are each provided with a track 190and 191 having a square-U shaped cross section (not shown). The tracks190 and 191 run parallel to the rear edges of the body panels, on thefaces of the body panels which face each other when the wardrobe is inthe deployed configuration. The tracks 190 and 191 run over the entirelength of their respective body panel except for a portion near theupper ends (308, 309) of the panels. The points at which the tracks 190and 191 end act as stops. The edges (306, 307) of the brace panel (303)are slid into the tracks 190 and 191 from the lower end (310, 311) ofthe body panels. The brace is slid up the tracks 190 and 191 until itreaches the stops near the upper ends (308, 309) of the body panels. Asimilar procedure is used to insert the two further brace panels (302,301). The brace panels maintain the wardrobe in its deployedconfiguration.

FIG. 4 is an exploded front perspective view of a wardrobe (401)according to the invention, showing the brace panels (402) ready forinsertion. The wardrobe is identical to the one shown in FIGS. 1 and 5,except that it is provided with a removable drawer (200) as shown inFIG. 2.

FIG. 5 shows a perspective schematic view of a wardrobe (101) accordingto the invention in its flat pack configuration. The spacers (104, 105,106) are folded in half and sandwiched between the body panels (103,102). The body panels lie directly above one another, meaning that theheight and width of the flat pack configuration is no greater than theheight and width of the body panels themselves. That is, when viewedfrom the ‘above’ direction shown by arrow ‘A’ in FIG. 5, the edges ofthe first and second body panels are coterminous.

FIGS. 6 and 7 show the wardrobe of FIG. 3 when provided with furtherbraces or brace members (601-604) in the form of battens. Three of thesebattens (601-603) brace and support the three spacers (104-106) with oneprovided for each spacer (104-106). The battens (601-603) help supportthe respective spacer (104-106) against load and help keep the furnitureunit in its deployed configuration.

The fourth batten (604) serves to help retain the brace panels (301-303)in position. It also further assists in keeping the furniture unit inits deployed configuration.

Each batten (601-604) is received in a respective pair of slots ortracks provided in the body panels (102, 103). One of these slots (605)can be seen in FIG. 7. Each batten can be slid into its respective pairof slots. In a development rather than simple U-shaped slots, the slots(e.g. 605) for receiving one or more of the battens (601-604) may bedovetail slots with corresponding dovetails provided on the ends of thebattens (601-604). This can provide interlocking whilst still allowingsliding engagement.

Whilst in the above embodiment, the furniture units described are whatmight be termed bedroom or living room furniture units, the presentinvention may also be embodied in kitchen furniture, in particularkitchen units. That is the furniture unit may be a kitchen unit.

1. A furniture unit comprising; first and second rigid body panels and aspacer which is moveably mounted to both of the body panels, such thatthe unit is moveable between; a flat pack configuration in which thespacer is disposed flat between the body panels, and a deployedconfiguration in which the body panels are separated by the spacer todefine a space between the body panels.
 2. A furniture unit according toclaim 1 wherein the spacer comprises first and second portions whichhave generally equal lengths and which are pivotally connected to eachother, wherein the first portion is moveably mounted to the first bodypanel and the second portion is moveably mounted to the second bodypanel, such that in the flat pack configuration, the two portions of thespacer adopt a side by side orientation between the body panels.
 3. Afurniture unit according to claim 2 wherein the two spacer portions areconnected to each other by a hinge, which is optionally a one way hinge.4. A furniture unit according claim 1 wherein the spacer is pivotallymounted to one, or both, of the body panels.
 5. A furniture unitaccording to claim 1 further comprising a brace which is removablyengageable with a body panel or with the spacer to retain the unit inits deployed configuration.
 6. A furniture unit according to claim 5wherein the brace is a rigid panel.
 7. A furniture unit according toclaim 6 wherein each of the body panels are provided with a track, withwhich edges of the rigid brace panel may be slidably engaged.
 8. Afurniture unit according to claim 5 wherein the unit comprises more thanone brace.
 9. A furniture unit according to claim 1 wherein the unitcomprises two or more spacers.
 10. A furniture unit according to claim 9wherein, when the unit is moved from its deployed configuration to itsflat pack configuration, two spacers fold towards each other.
 11. Afurniture unit according to claim 9 wherein, when the unit is moved fromits deployed configuration to its flat pack configuration, two spacersfold in in orthogonal directions.
 12. A furniture unit according toclaim 9 wherein, in the deployed configuration, two spacers are panelswhich are disposed orthogonal to one another.
 13. A furniture unitaccording claim 1 wherein, in the deployed configuration, the spacerforms a top or bottom panel of the furniture unit.
 14. A furniture unitaccording to claim 1 wherein, in the deployed configuration, the spacerforms a shelf within the furniture unit.
 15. A furniture unit accordingclaim 1 wherein the spacer is connected to the body panels by hinges,which are optionally one way hinges. 16.-19. (canceled)
 20. A furnitureunit according claim 1 wherein, in the flat pack configuration,corresponding edges of the first and second body panels are generally inregistry with each another.
 21. A furniture unit according claim 1wherein the furniture unit is a wardrobe, a bedside unit, a drawer, or aframe for a chest of drawers. 22.-25. (canceled)
 26. A furniture unitcomprising; first and second rigid body panels and a spacer which ismoveably mounted to both of the body panels, such that the unit ismoveable between; a flat pack configuration in which the spacer isdisposed flat between the body panels, and a deployed configuration inwhich the body panels are separated by the spacer to define a spacebetween the body panels, wherein the spacer comprises first and secondportions which have generally equal lengths and which are pivotallyconnected to each other, wherein the first portion is pivotally mountedto the first body panel and the second portion is pivotally mounted tothe second body panel, such that in the flat pack configuration, the twoportions of the spacer adopt a side by side orientation between the bodypanels.
 27. A furniture unit comprising; first and second rigid bodypanels and a spacer which is moveably mounted to both of the rigid bodypanels, such that the unit is moveable between; a flat packconfiguration in which the spacer is disposed flat between the bodypanels, and a deployed configuration in which the body panels areseparated by the spacer to define a space between the body panels,wherein the unit further comprises a rigid brace panel which isremovably engageable with the first and second rigid body panels toretain the unit in its deployed configuration, and wherein each of thefirst and second rigid body panels are provided with a track, with whichedges of the rigid brace panel may be slidably engaged.